Warning... Don't get between the old guys and the beer.
This Wednesday is gonna be an unexpected mini-reunion of my Vietnam unit at my house. I got a call from one of my H Troop/10th Cavalry (Air Combat) unit members that he was coming to town on business, but would like to get together that night. Next thing I knew we had 6 of us getting together. Not bad for an impromptu meeting of a unit that existed 37 years ago, and only had about 35 pilots all-together. There may be more, if some others decide to fly on down.
It is a real joy to have friends from that time in my life. It was at once the most exciting, agonizing, frightening, and depressing times in my life. I am proud of all of them. They came home and became successful people, and never let the experience get them down. Three of them are still flying. One was pilot of an American Airlines flight that took off just a few planes before one of the hijacked planes on 9/11. One is a world renowned helicopter flight instructor, who will leave our little party on Wednesday for Iceland, and then France, and possibly Israel later. Another is one of only two or three blimp flight examiners in the nation.
When we get together we are young again.....at least til the next morning. We always remember to raise a glass to lost comrades. And then share about our grandkids.
My son is gonna be there. He is attending Emery Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. He wants to get into aviation. He can't wait to meet these guys.
I am a lucky guy.
It is a real joy to have friends from that time in my life. It was at once the most exciting, agonizing, frightening, and depressing times in my life. I am proud of all of them. They came home and became successful people, and never let the experience get them down. Three of them are still flying. One was pilot of an American Airlines flight that took off just a few planes before one of the hijacked planes on 9/11. One is a world renowned helicopter flight instructor, who will leave our little party on Wednesday for Iceland, and then France, and possibly Israel later. Another is one of only two or three blimp flight examiners in the nation.
When we get together we are young again.....at least til the next morning. We always remember to raise a glass to lost comrades. And then share about our grandkids.
My son is gonna be there. He is attending Emery Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. He wants to get into aviation. He can't wait to meet these guys.
I am a lucky guy.